September 27, 2014

New venue!
Navajo Nation Museum
Highway 264 in Window Rock, Arizona

Preview is from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM and the auction will start at 12:00 noon and go until all items are offered to the bidders.
The auctions are fund raising events and they enable us to, in part, support our scholarship program, support the park in its endeavors, and to fund other special events. The main purpose of each auction is to provide economic assistance to the artists and community.

The auctions have returned over $2,000,000 to the local communities through the artists who consign items into the auction. Native American artists including Navajo, Hopi, and other puebloan tribes. Generally we have 400+ items that are sold.

Driving Directions to Window Rock and the Navajo Nation Museum

The Navajo Nation Museum is located within the Navajo Nation in Window Rock, Arizona near the intersection of Arizona Highway 264 and Indian Route 12.
The museum is on the north side of the highway. Turn north on Postal Loop Road and the parking lot will be on your right.

Tom Ganado apparently interacted with tourists. Tom Ganado was fluent in Navajo, Hopi, Spanish, and English, which greatly enhanced his value as a freighter for Hubbell (who spoke the same four languages) and the Harvey Company.

Tom Ganado – Navajo Man

Tom Ganado home is in the southern part of the reservation and he can generally be found near the settlement known as Ganado, Arizona. During the past two years Tom and his family have spent the greater part of the time in Albuquerque, where they have been engaged in one of the large stores. These and other Indians who work at this place are well cared for; they live in hogans built by themselves and have frame buildings with stoves that can be used when desired.
Extreme cold has no terrors for the Navaho Indian, as it is an old enemy; they are however, unaccustomed to steam heat. The sudden changes from superheated rooms to the outer cold and dampness are the cause of much sickness, and Tom, though strong and wiry, became a victim of new conditions. He caught a heavy cold and, soon after, pneumonia developed. A consultation was held and he was finally removed to the hospital. The doctors soon had the disease under control, but, owing to his weak condition, he was obliged to remain in the hospital several weeks.

In 1904 the Albuquerque Morning Journal describes Tom and his work:
Tom has been with the Harvey system here for nearly two years, and in that time has become one of the most useful men about the big establishment. He is not merely a picturesque ornament. He works, knows the details of the business thoroughly and but for his frankness in dealing with customers, would make an excellent salesman. Tom, however, sticks rigidly to the truth and has no hesitancy in speaking his convictions accordingly when a prospective customer comes to the curio department. Tom’s opinion of the individual is quietly formed and as quickly announced.
Tom’s interactions with tourists, if accurate, did not reflect the Harvey Company’s view of the ideal American Indian demonstrator, though his industriousness and hard work were valued and remembered in his home community of Ganado.Navajo People Website Links:Navajo Culture – Navajo History – Navajo Art – Navajo Clothing Navajo Pictures – Navajo Rugs – Navajo Language – Navajo Jewelry – Navajo Code Talker – Navajo Pottery – Navajo Legends – Hogan’s – Sand Painting – Navajo Food – Navajo News – Navajo Nation